Price Check Orange Crush

[crazyangel]

I am planning on loading the rear tires, so figure about 1,000 more lbs added to the weight, plus the FEL assy adds about 1,100 or 1,200.

Any opinions from members who own the L3240 and/or L3540? If you could do it again, would you again buy the one you have or go up/down?

I would put as much horsepower you can into the frame size you like the most. There are very few TBN'ers that would tell you they have bought too much horsepower, but the tractor also has to be maneuverable and fit where you want it. So maxing out the engine size on your preferred frame is the sweet spot to me. It sounds like you are financing, and the difference in the monthly payment would probably be around $35 (on a 60 month note) which seems pretty worth it to me.

Also, you will only get about 640 lbs ballast from filled rear tires on the 3240 and 3540. That is due to the tire size. Here is a link to a chart for every size for your reference:
Rim Guard Hydro-Flation Tables for Agricultural Tires | Drive Wheel Tires | Terra Tires | Light Construction Tires

Happy hunting

 

[TripleR]

How do they compare to your present tractor and will you be happy with less power?

 

[ddb123]

I would put as much horsepower you can into the frame size you like the most. There are very few TBN'ers that would tell you they have bought too much horsepower, but the tractor also has to be maneuverable and fit where you want it. So maxing out the engine size on your preferred frame is the sweet spot to me. It sounds like you are financing, and the difference in the monthly payment would probably be around $35 (on a 60 month note) which seems pretty worth it to me.

Also, you will only get about 640 lbs ballast from filled rear tires on the 3240 and 3540. That is due to the tire size. Here is a link to a chart for every size for your reference:
Rim Guard Hydro-Flation Tables for Agricultural Tires | Drive Wheel Tires | Terra Tires | Light Construction Tires

Happy hunting

Thank you for the link and advice. I am now leaning toward R4 tires, since I do most of my work on or around my yard. I am having a hard time tracking down the amount of weight that will give. Kubota spec sheet gives 420/70-24 for rear R4 size. That seems weird.

 

[ddb123]

How do they compare to your present tractor and will you be happy with less power?

Well my present tractor has 37 pto hp, but I don't come close to using that. I use a 5' RFM and a 6' brush hog (backward, I know). I don't really like the brush hog, it is too big. I have thought several times of trading it for a 5 footer. As far as ground engagement, I think weight (even without ballast, the 3540 weighs 500 lbs more than my L4300) and 4x4 will more than make up the difference. And as far as loader goes, the LA724 is more powerful than my LB552.

The 3540 has 28 pto hp in HST version.

 

[TripleR]

Well my present tractor has 37 pto hp, but I don't come close to using that. I use a 5' RFM and a 6' brush hog (backward, I know). I don't really like the brush hog, it is too big. I have thought several times of trading it for a 5 footer. As far as ground engagement, I think weight (even without ballast, the 3540 weighs 500 lbs more than my L4300) and 4x4 will more than make up the difference. And as far as loader goes, the LA724 is more powerful than my LB552.

The 3540 has 28 pto hp in HST version.

Then it looks like the 3540 should work well for you.

 

[ddb123]

Then it looks like the 3540 should work well for you.

In a way, I have been waiting for someone with a lot of tractor experience to say just that. My dad thinks I am crazy for looking at any slightly smaller tractor, but I think the overall package will be quite an upgrade in usability even though it has less engine hp.

 

[PHILIP8N]

For years I ran a 6' RFM on a 1950 Ford 8N with 22-25 pto hp. Never had a hp issue. But the old Ford did not have enough power to turn a 6' bush hog. With the width of the L3540, I think you will eventually upgrade to a 6' RFM, and you still have plenty of power to do that. Philip.

 

[crazyangel]

Thank you for the link and advice. I am now leaning toward R4 tires, since I do most of my work on or around my yard. I am having a hard time tracking down the amount of weight that will give. Kubota spec sheet gives 420/70-24 for rear R4 size. That seems weird.

That is a metric tire size, and here is a link for ballast on that:
Rim Guard Metric Tire Hydro-Flation Table

A quick view of the chart shows you were right on anticipating 1000 lbs of ballast. I made the assumption you were going with the R1's, but as I am writing this I remember from a previous post that you were up in the air. Sorry to lead you astray! :ashamed:

Then it looks like the 3540 should work well for you.

I have to agree. It seems like you have thought through things pretty well! :thumbsup:

 

[ddb123]

That is a metric tire size, and here is a link for ballast on that:
Rim Guard Metric Tire Hydro-Flation Table

A quick view of the chart shows you were right on anticipating 1000 lbs of ballast. I made the assumption you were going with the R1's, but as I am writing this I remember from a previous post that you were up in the air. Sorry to lead you astray! :ashamed:

I have to agree. It seems like you have thought through things pretty well! :thumbsup:

Well, you were right that I was assuming 1000 lbs, but that was from checking the R1s on my current tractor, which are a good deal bigger than the tires on the 3540. I keep waffling on tires but I'm thinking R4s right now.

And thanks, I am feeling more confident about my choice all the time!

 

[TripleR]

In a way, I have been waiting for someone with a lot of tractor experience to say just that. My dad thinks I am crazy for looking at any slightly smaller tractor, but I think the overall package will be quite an upgrade in usability even though it has less engine hp.

More power and just a bit more power is always tempting. I picked this up from someone on here quite some time ago: "Bigger isn't always better, sometimes bigger is just bigger."

You have the advantage over many as you have already established a reference point with your present tractor on existing property and pretty much knew the right tractor before any of us.

My wife and I looked very seriously at the L3240/3540 three years or so ago and we really liked the size and maneuverability. My health and the size of our properties and running between farms dictated a bigger cab model, so we got the 5030 to go with our other smaller and bigger tractors, but I really like those tractors.